A number of new UFC bouts were announced over the last few days, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my initial thoughts on all of them. Aljamain Sterling vs. Lucas Martins, UFC 170 The first new matchup announced is a bantamweight bout between UFC newcomer Aljamain Sterling and Lucas Martins. Sterling took the fight on short notice after an injury to Brian Caraway, so even though he is a hugely-hyped prospect it’s possible he could be biting off more than he can chew here against Martins, who had a full camp and who looked amazing in his last fight. Justin Scoggins vs. Will Campuzano, UFC 171 UFC 171 added a fantastic flyweight bout between Justin Scoggins and Will Campuzano after Darrell Montage pulled out and Scoggins replaced him. I really like Scoggins here and think he will absolutely light up Campuzano on the feet. Depending on the line, this is a bet I will be targeting for March. Raquel Pennington vs. Jessica Andrade, UFC 171 Also at UFC 171, Raquel Pennington will take on Jessica Andrade after Julianna Pena pulled out with a bad knee injury. This is a solid fight between two women’s bantamweights on the rise but I have to lean towards the Brazilian Andrade here, and it’s likely going to be a bet for me depending on the line. Evan Dunham vs. Mark Bocek, TUF Nations Finale The TUF Nations Finale added a lightweight bout between Evan Dunham and Mark Bocek. I don’t really understand this fight but it seems like the UFC is doing Dunham a favor and giving him an easier opponent to get back on track after a few losses to top contenders Donald Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos. Bocek does have a good ground game but he matches up terribly against Dunham and I definitely like the Las Vegas-based fighter in this spot. KJ Noons vs. Sam Stout, TUF Nations Finale Also, a lightweight bout between KJ Noons and Sam Stout will go down at the TUF Nations Finale. This should be a stand-up war but I really think Noons is at the end of his career while Stout at least has something left in the tank. The fight should go to decision but in the end I think Stout will win the fight on the judges’ scorecards, especially since it’s in Canada. Nam Phan vs. Vaughan Lee, TUF China Finale The TUF China card added a bantamweight bout between Nam Phan and Vaughan Lee. It’s a solid fight between two guys who are clinging to their spot on the UFC roster, and I expect the loser to get cut. My initial lean here is Phan due to his superior standup but honestly, this fight can go either way. Bethe Correia vs. Jessamyn Duke, UFC 172 A women’s bantamweight bout between Bethe Correia and Jessamyn Duke was added to UFC 172. This is a pretty tough fight to call and I don’t have a strong lean so far, but Duke should have the size advantage and so gun to head I’d take her in this spot. Andre Fili vs. Max Holloway, UFC 172 UFC 172 also added a fantastic featherweight bout between high-volume strikers Andre Fili and Max Holloway. It’s an excellent matchup, and it likely wins FOTN depending on what other fights are added to the card. Based on their last few performances, I do lean slightly towards Fili here but either man can win this fight. Joe Ellenberger vs. Yancy Medeiros, UFC 172 Also, the brother of Jake, Joe Ellenberger, makes his UFC debut against Yancy Medeiros at UFC 172. This is a fun lightweight fight but based on the fact he has prior Octagon experience, I have to lean towards the Hawaiian Medeiros here to pick up the victory. Roy Nelson vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Abu Dhabi event in May And finally, a heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has been set as the main event for the UFC’s next trip to Abu Dhabi this May. I’m not a huge fan of this matchup, but I understand why the UFC booked it as both men are old and coming off of losses. It’s a close fight, but I’m leaning towards Nelson a bit here just because I think he has a bit more left in the tank than Big Nog does.
